9 Best Self Tanners for 2014 - Self Tanner Reviews

Get a sexy, golden sunless tan using one of the best self tanner options

The last thing you want to hear in your head after slathering on a self tanner is that Oompa-Loompa song. We've all been duped by too-orange self tanners, no? Nothing's worse than trying to do the right thing by avoiding the sun and arduously applying a lotion, cream, foam, gel or spray to your body, only to wind up with dark elbows and streaky legs.

There has to be some sunless tanning winners out there, because bronze-y stars constantly grace the red carpet (and you know most of them wouldn't risk wrinkles by baking in the sun to get that glow.) But how do you know which of the best self tanner options is going to yield the most natural-looking results?

Our readers tried and tested a ton of self tanner skin care products for your sunless tanning pleasure. Since tanning creams have gotten a bad rap for often being hot streaky messes, it's super helpful to know that real women tried out these particular products and rave about them. You can read the enthusiastic reviews from everyone, from our freckly, pale-skinned friends who can't (and shouldn't) sunbathe but miraculously found faux glow bliss, to gals who praise the magic of self-tanning power to cover up the tan lines that are ruining their strapless dress game.
And of course, regardless of how amazing a sunless tanner formula might be, the secret to making it look real is in the application. Here, a few tips on how to expertly apply self tanner:

-Exfoliate and shave before you let self tanner anywhere near your body. Use a mild exfoliant, like St. Tropez Tan Enhancing Body Polish, to make sure you're sloughing off your dead skin cells before the self tanner goes on.

-Stand between two mirrors to apply the self tanner, so you can see exactly what you're doing.

-Be extra mindful of the knees, hands, elbows, feet, ankles and face. These are the areas where self tanning mistakes show up most. Use a minimal amount of tanning lotion in these areas, and consider wearing latex gloves or a tanning mitt to apply it.

Why it's great: One reviewer gave this self tanner a 10 out of 10 because, "with one application, a believable color developed in about 4 hours." This self tanner is enriched with white tea, cucumber, and green tea extracts, which hydrate your skin while tanning. This is the self tanner to use if you are looking for a "perfect streak free tan," says one trusted reviewer. After trying several self tanners, this reviewer finally found her perfect tan with Aqua Tan's Body Milk: "I've tried MANY self tanners and they all smell and have a weird sticky feeling. Not this one. It has a light fresh scent, dries quickly, and no sticky feeling. Awesome product."

Why it's great: "Even if you cannot reach every part of your skin equally, it gives an impression as if you have just returned back from a weekend vacation," said one satisfied reviewer about this self tanner. Another self-tanning regular met her match with this silky, gel-cream self tanner: "I've tried literally dozens of self tanners and this is one of my favorites. It blends easily, dries extremely fast and lasts for 4 to 5 days." One reviewer called this a "must have bronzer," saying that she "uses this product all year long."

Why it's great: "The self tanner lotion is not greasy or smelly and it works in about an hour. There are no streaks and the effect looks very natural," said one reviewer. Another reviewer noted that in addition to loving the natural looking tan this self tanner gave her, she also liked that it didn't make her smell like other tanners have: "The first thing that impressed me so much about this product is that it really does not have a tanner smell. It's so wonderful that you can put this on and not have that lingering self tanner aroma. I love it." Finding that this self tanner was well worth the money, another reviewer said, "it seems to last longer than other brands. It's worth way more than $22.50!"

Why it's great: "[This] is the best self tanner on the market today. It is the most natural self tanner I have ever used," says one reviewer. Another reviewer also loved how natural this tanner made her skin look and gave it a 10 out of 10, saying, "the color is FABULOUS! No orange whatsoever!" If you are looking for the perfect, sun-free glow, this just might be the self-tanner for you. "I use this all over, and my legs always look great," said one reviewer, adding, "this is one product I will always have in my bathroom."

Why it's great: Many reviewers loved this self tanner because it does not have to be applied daily in order to gain results. "The color it provides is realistic and brown. You can spray it and see the results immediately, but it will also last you a good two days without re-application," said one happy reviewer. This self tanner is also popular because it "is easy to use, delivers a consistent tinted spray that smells delicious, and develops a natural looking tan," said another reviewer. "The result can be built up very easily for darker color, too. Amazing product!"

Why it's great: Sally's airbrush tanning system made its way to the top of our list due to its even and easy application as well as its natural color. "It's about the only one I trust not to turn me orange," said one reviewer. Another reviewer agrees, adding, "this honestly beats spray tans from even the best salons." One trusted reviewer said that this self tanner "is by far the best one out there." She found that it "dries super fast" and that the color doesn't run at all, even when she works up a sweat during her kickboxing classes. Reviewers recommend that you have someone else spray you in order to get an even tan, but they still rate this tanner very highly because of how easy and effective it is.

Why it's great: Fake Bake has a regular self tanning lotion, but the mousse version of their popular self tanner has been a huge hit. "Love the mousse version. It's so much easier to apply/blend and doesn't leave any gross looking streaks," said one raving reviewer. Another experienced self-tanning enthusiast said, "Fake Bake lasted through my workout sessions, 10-outfits-a-day wardrobe changes, and showers galore. The self-proclaimed self-tanning expert has met her match."

Why it's great: Shiseido made it into the top self tanners list because of its natural look and pleasant scent. "I don't get streaks, it dries quickly, and doesn't have a strong odor," said one reviewer. In addition to its pleasant smell and streak-free color, one reviewer loved this product because of the glow it gave her skin: "I love this stuff. It really gives you a bronze look with a hint of shimmer, amazing!" A trusted reviewer loved the believable tan it gave her, saying, "I get so many people asking where I was on vacation. Best money I've ever spent. I highly recommend it to all."

Why it's great: For one happy reviewer, this instant bronze self tanner saved her prom night: "I used this for prom to even out my skin after my terrible sunburn started peeling off! My pictures came out great and I still managed to have a nice and even golden glow. I would highly recommend this." This fan favorite tanner appears subtly gold on the skin when first applied and slowly grows darker as time goes on in order to create a natural looking tan. "Because this product lasts so long, and works so well, it is definitely worth the price," said one top reviewer.

Made in the Shade by Arbonne! It gets darker as you get hotter! That means, put it on and...go to the gym, blow dry your hair, go outside!You get a natural looking tan and it has SPF so you can use it as sunscreen. I ALWAYS bring this with me on vacation and you get exceptionally dramatic results. LOVE LOVE LOVE

Interesting recommendations, surprised Lancomes bronzer didn't make the list. It smells great and I've been using it on and off for years. Coppertone is another good lotion that leaves no streak if you reub it on evenly.

I believe all self tanners are going to leave a streak or two here and there but there are definitely some that are way better than others. I suggest to try at leaste 5 different brands and find the one that best compliments your skin tone. Also, taking advice from here can get you through them a little quicker and may save a little money too in the end!